Ethical implications of writings about nature, J.A Barker

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Ethical implications of writings about nature, J.A Barker

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Sand County Almanac, Aldo Leopold, Ethical implications, J.A Barker

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Abstract

The need to conserve the environment has gained momentum in the recent past. The essence of nature writing is to inform and guide the reader is on the crucial aspect of nurturing the environment. Nature is an aspect that is hard to alienate from human existence. This is why nature writers aspire to write material that transcends time and still maintains its relevance to modern readers. The urgency to protect the natural habitats and creatures is essential and needs utmost concentration because the environment is valuable to all individuals. For instance, when using electricity and gas individuals must not take the energy for granted as it comes from nature. We must not let go the importance of trees and all the products that we acquire from them e.g. books/paper, cups, envelopes, etc. and which are crucial in our everyday life. For people to understand the ecosystem deeply there is a need for human- nature connection that nature writers try to instill in the readers. It is not because human nature dictates that one is ethical only in comparison to what he or she can see, understand, feel, love, finally have faith in. Therefore, nature writing fails to make ethical and emotional connection between people, habitats, and creatures that are not existent.

In A Sand County Almanac, Aldo Leopold tries to make people understand that ethics pertaining to land use are essential to ensure the protection of land. In this context when Leopold talks about land, it is important to know that he is referring to the ecosystem. In Leopold's community concept, he asserts that the land as a collective entity has an indirect right to life that human beings must respect. For people to appreciate and love land, they must stop viewing it as a commodity and view it as a community to which they belong.

Introduction
Ethical implications of writings
J.A Barker
Analysis
Conclusion

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[...] For human beings to understand other animals and habitations, they need to go out to them and interact with them and analyze them from a personal level just as he did. He hence does not succeed to evoke the ethical and emotional connectivity in the reader. He attempts to send a message that to feel the nature you must experience it. Leopold's Ecological consciousness (Leopold 207-10) talks on the need for the individual responsibility for the health and preservation of the ecosystem. [...]

[...] The people's aim at using chemicals was to eradicate mosquitoes but failed to consider the implication on other species and the soil. As a reader, one cannot be able to understand Baker's fear and worry which came from him being an eyewitness to the whole ordeal of the birds dying from the chemicals. Having being around for decades I have to appreciate the fact that Becker's essay is very informative and sheds light on the need to love and understand the nature. [...]

[...] Bibliography Baker, J.A. The Peregrine: The Hill of Summer and Dairies. New York: Leopold, Aldo. A Sand County Almanac. [...]

[...] Therefore, nature writing fails to make ethical and emotional connection between people, habitats, and creatures that are not existent. In A Sand County Almanac, Aldo Leopold tries to make people understand that ethics pertaining to land use are essential to ensure the protection of land. In this context when Leopold talks about land, it is important to know that he is referring to the ecosystem. In Leopold's community concept, he asserts that the land as a collective entity has an indirect right to life that human beings must respect. [...]

[...] The first step should probably be the introduction of compulsory ecological studies from the lower grades until college level. This will ensure that the urge to protect the ecosystem is instilled in individuals at early stages of development. The individuals will feel the urge to nurture the environment. Furthermore, appreciating nature would call for nature trips for the students to different habitats because as Leopold asserts ecological education is useless if it fails to instill in student's land ethics of love, admiration and above all respect for the ecosystem. [...]

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